Lifespan and Causes of Death in the Irish Wolfhound - Vetsuisse ...

3.7.1.4 Therapy
Methylprednisolone sodium succinate has been reported to be beneficial if treatment
is initiated within the first 8 hours after the onset of symptoms. 30 mg/kg are given i.v.
as a first treatment, followed by 15 mg/kg after 2 and 6 hours and then every 6 hours
over a total period of 24-48 hours. Each injection should be given slowly, over 10 to
15 minutes in order to prevent vomiting. Treatment should not be continued for more
than 48 hours, since no additional benefits have been shown and the risk of
gastrointestinal ulceration is greatly increased with more prolonged use. NSAIDs are
contraindicated, since their combination with methylprednisolone succinate also
increases adverse effects. A high-fibre diet can be given in order to reduce the risk of
gastrointestinal ulceration.
Recumbent patients should be kept on a soft surface and turned frequently in order
to prevent the formation of decubitus ulcers. All patients should be assisted and
encouraged to walk as soon as possible (hydrotherapy being a very valuable option
in these cases). Neurological examination should be repeated frequently during the
first 12 to 24 hours in order to detect an eventual progression of symptoms. It should
then be repeated after 2, 3 and 4 weeks in order to detect the further clinical course,
which is relevant for the prognosis (see below).
In case of urinary incontinence, urinalysis and bacterial culture should be performed
to identify an eventual infection (Sisson and Parent 2004).
3.7.1.5 Prognosis
Intact pain perception and upper motor neuron signs usually have a good prognosis
for marked improvement, whereas the complete loss of pain perception is indicative
of a poor prognosis. Areflexia of limbs or sphincters gives the dog almost no chance
of recovery, while functional recovery is common if purposeful movements and
reflexes are merely reduced – although some degree of permanent deficit is likely in
these cases.
A progression of the clinical signs from upper to lower motor neuron and an enlarging
area of sensory loss suggest the presence of progressive neuromalacia and indicate
a hopeless prognosis. Euthanasia should be considered in these cases.
Marked changes in neurological status are unlikely during the first 14 days after onset
of symptoms. Most improvement can be expected to occur between days 21 and 42.
If no improvement is seen after 21 to 30 days, recovery becomes highly unlikely
(Sisson and Parent 2004).
3.7.2 Epizootology
There are no published numbers concerning incidence and prevalence of juvenile
FCE in Irish Wolfhounds in the veterinary literature. The high number of FCE puppies
(8 during a period of 16 months) treated at Utrecht university could be coincidental,
but the authors state that anecdotal evidence from dog breeder journals suggests
that FCE is a common occurrence in juvenile Irish Wolfhounds. The author of the
study at hand is also aware of several probable FCE cases from the UK and the US.
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